According to a police report, Curnutt punched the child in the head and face and choked the boy, causing hemorrhaging of the youngster's eyes, at a relative's home on July 20.

The alleged victim told police he believed Curnutt had been drinking alcohol prior to the attack.

The child's mother reported she later received a text message from Curnutt in which he maintained he had been asleep and "awoke to choking (the child)."

Police reports indicated Curnutt fled from the house where the alleged attack took place and had not been seen since. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Henry County sheriff's office at (765) 521-7032.

Curnutt's criminal record includes five convictions for burglary - three in 2008, and one each in 1997 and 1998. He has also been convicted of receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana and resisting law enforcement.

He is set to stand trial Aug. 28 in Henry Circuit Court 2 on a public-intoxication charge filed in May.